Heron Academy: school finances
Large reserves
Holds £452k in reserve, 10% of a year's income.
Latest full year 2024-25, as a academy (accounts return, September–August). Lambeth · Not applicable · Academy special sponsor led.
Academies in a trust don't hold money on their own: LONDON SOUTH EAST ACADEMIES TRUST can move money between its schools. The reserve includes this school's per-pupil share of the trust's central reserve.
Earlier years come from this school's return before it became an academy (a different DfE number).
Reserve at the end of each year, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income and spending, 2018-19 to 2024-25
Income Spending
Show the figures as a table
| Year | Income | Spending | Balance | Reserve | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018-19 | £3.3m | £3.5m | -£159k | -£880k | 71 |
2019-20 | £3.3m | £3.6m | -£258k | -£1.1m | 78 |
2020-21 | £3.7m | £3.6m | +£49k | -£1.1m | 80 |
2021-22 | £3.4m | £3.4m | -£43k | -£1.1m | 78 |
2023-24 | £4.0m | £3.6m | +£391k | £195k | 79 |
2024-25 | £4.3m | £3.8m | +£485k | £452k | 81 |
Compared with similar schools
Similar schools are the 30 special schools in London closest in size and in the share of pupils on free school meals. Its reserve, as a share of income, is higher than 60% of them. It spends £47,198 a pupil in total; similar schools typically spend £38,853.
This school Middle half of similar schools Similar schools’ median
Show the comparison as a table
| Spending per pupil | This school | Similar schools (median) | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
Teachers | £10,407 | £14,904 | £11,535–£20,135 |
Support staff (e.g. TAs) | £17,247 | £8,072 | £6,008–£11,480 |
Supply staff | £9,284 | £1,301 | £344–£3,850 |
Admin and clerical | £1,580 | £1,931 | £1,136–£2,519 |
Premises | £2,901 | £2,167 | £1,440–£2,704 |
Energy | £1,160 | £615 | £464–£781 |
Learning resources & ICT | £2,012 | £1,262 | £930–£1,622 |
Bought-in services | £12 | £1,977 | £721–£4,855 |
Compare side by side with the 3 most similar schools
Which schools are these?
- The Willows School Heading for deficit
- Horizon Academy Tight
- The St Marylebone Church of England Bridge School Large reserves
- Lift Newlands Large reserves
- Jack Tizard School In deficit
- Beckmead College In deficit
- Endeavour Academy Bexley Healthy
- The Courtyard Islington Large reserves
- Cherry Garden School Large reserves
- Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School Heading for deficit
- Hatchside School Large reserves
- Spa School, Bermondsey Healthy
Where the money comes from, 2024-25
| Source | Amount | Per pupil |
|---|---|---|
Government grants | £4.3m | £52,988 |
SEN funding (part of grants) | £2.3m | £28,889 |
Self-generated (lettings, catering, donations) | £16k | £198 |
Questions to ask the school
Useful for parents, governors and PTA committees.
- What are the reserves set aside for, and when will they be spent on current pupils?
- Spending on supply staff is £9,284 a pupil, against a typical £1,301 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on support staff (e.g. tas) is £17,247 a pupil, against a typical £8,072 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on energy is £1,160 a pupil, against a typical £615 for similar schools. What's behind that?
- Spending on learning resources & ict is £2,012 a pupil, against a typical £1,262 for similar schools. What's behind that?
Check these figures
Every figure here comes from the school's published return to the DfE. Check it on the DfE benchmarking page for this school, and see how the status is worked out.
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